Harlem in New York

Harlem in New York is one of Manhattan’s most northern neighbourhoods, located in Upper Manhattan. There aren’t many tourist attractions located in Harlem, but if you want to get to know the ‘real’ New York, with a lot of cultural heritage, it’s worth paying a visit. Along one of Harlem’s main streets, Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, you find several shops, restaurants and the famous Apollo Theater. You can take a subway or Hop-on Hop-off bus to explore this diverse Manhattan neighbourhood.

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The History of Harlem

Harlem New York has a very interesting history with a lot of tragic twists and also some beautiful events. In short: it all started in 1626 when the Dutch-named this area “Nieuw Haarlem” (New Harlem). Towards the end of the 19th century, it became a very chic area. This can be seen in its architecture: there are many beautiful houses. After the real estate crash in the 1930s, most of the wealthy residents left the neighbourhood. Soon thereafter, inhabitants from the South moved into Harlem, looking for work in the area. The Hop on Hop off bus stops here so if you just want to get a feel for Harlem you can hop off there.

Is Harlem safe?

Tourists often question the safety of Harlem New York: they think New York is a dangerous city. However, this opinion comes from the ’80s and early ’90s, when there was a huge crack problem. Since then, a lot has changed. These days, New York is one of the safest cities in America. Harlem, in particular, used to have a very bad reputation, but now, it’s heading in the right direction. I don’t have any problems walking around alone or at night. Most noteworthy, Bill Clinton doesn’t have a problem either: his personal office is located in Harlem.

Eric’s Tip: Harlem is made up of a lot of different areas, some of which are safer than others. As a rule of thumb, up to 125th Street and west of Park Avenue is a safe area to visit. If you want to go sightseeing here, do it during the day. If you want to go to another part of Harlem or have plans for an evening visit, I recommend taking a taxi and avoid wandering around too much.

Apollo Theater

Harlem is of course well known for its musical history. And there is still a lot to do and see with regards to this. Certainly visit the illustrious Apollo Theater on 125th Street (between Frederick Douglass and 7th Avenue). They hold a weekly Amateur Night, where the audience determines the winner by booing or applauding accordingly.

It is also very nice to do a Gospel Tour in Harlem. Walking into any old church on a Sunday morning is certainly ‘not done’, so make sure you book a tour in advance. Tours run weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Food and Drinks in Harlem

Go for traditional African American cuisine; Soul Food. It’s a lot like the food available in the Southern States of America (Louisiana, Mississippi etc.). With fried chicken, sweet potatoes and beans, it’s not the kind of food to eat if you’re on a diet! A nice place to go, (Obama once held a fundraiser here) is Red Rooster Harlem on 126^th Street and Lenox Avenue. You will probably have to reserve at least a few weeks in advance, but I have also just dropped by and was seated within 15 minutes. Jam-packed? Walk one block down the same street to Sylvia’s Restaurant and enjoy real Soul Food with a rich history. Alternatively, “Shrine” on Adam Clayton Jr Blvd and 134th Street offers live music and few tourists.

Hotels in Harlem

As Harlem is located all the way north of Central Park, you will need to use the subway to get to Midtown Manhattan. To get back to Harlem at night, it’s safer to take a cab. And although the neighbourhood is generally safe these days, I don’t recommend walking around at night either. If you still would like to book a hotel in Harlem, Aloft Harlem is a good choice.

Posted in New York Neighbourhoods

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